Browse Articles

Improving the thermal and hydrophobic properties of bamboo biocomposite as sustainable acoustic absorbers

Assembly and application of a low-cost high-resolution imaging device for hyphae in soil

Soil imaging in the field and laboratory has greatly advanced our understanding of plant root systems. Soil fungi function as important plant symbionts and decomposers of complex organic material in soil environments. For fungal hyphae, however, the application of soil imaging remains scarce, limiting our understanding of hyphal systems in soil. This scarce application is partly due to the challenging development of a soil imaging device for hyphae: technical requirements to resolve fine hyphae (2–5 μm in diameter) are high, while the device cost must be low to facilitate sufficient deployment that can capture the high spatial heterogeneity of hyphal dynamics in soil. This protocol describes the do-it-yourself assembly and application of a low-cost high-resolution imaging device for observing hyphae in soil. The assembly of the open-source imaging device relies on many 3D-printed parts, reducing material costs to ca. 930 USD. The application of the imaging device yields soil profile images with a resolution of up to 0.52 μm px-1 (49000 dpi) within an observable volume of 70 × 210 × 1.5 mm. By repeatedly imaging a soil profile using the presented techniques, changes in the amount, distribution, and morphology of hyphae in soil can be observed and quantified.

Research on multi-source microstructure image recognition of foam ceramics using convolutional network combine with frequency domain

Correction: Association between cancer stigma and cervical cancer screening uptake among women of Dhulikhel and Banepa, Nepal

Measurement of pressure dependent variations in local pulse wave velocity within a cardiac cycle from forward travelling pulse waves

Abstract The local pulse wave velocity (PWV) from large elastic arteries and its pressure-dependent changes within a cardiac cycle are potential biomarkers for cardiovascular risk stratification. However, pulse wave reflections can impair the accuracy of local PWV measurements. We propose a method to measure pressure-dependent variations in local PWV while minimizing the influence of pulse wave reflections. The PWV is computed from the pulse transit time between two forward-traveling pulse waveforms obtained across known path length, after measured/modelled flow-based wave separation analysis (WSA). An in-vivo study of 60 participants (24 female), was conducted to compare inter- and intra-cycle variations in PWV obtained from measured and forward pulse waves. For this, proximal and distal diameter waveforms from the carotid artery, along with carotid tonometry, were recorded using a custom bi-modal arterial probe. The carotid blood flow for WSA was captured with an ultrasound imaging system. The reference PWV was derived from the Bramwell-Hill equation. After WSA, the reliability of PWV measurement improved with coefficient of variation reducing from 25% to 10% near the peak of the pulse waves and matched the reference PWV with no statistically significant difference. The average PWV at foot of the pulse wave before and after WSA were comparable to the reference PWV with no statistically significant difference. The coherence of carotid pulse pressure obtained from the mean values of PWV within a cardiac cycle after WSA with that of the carotid pulse pressure from tonometry, substantiates the results obtained for reflection-free PWV. The reliability of measuring local PWV and its pressure dependent variations within a cardiac cycle is improved by combining transit-time approach with WSA.

Evidence of a persistent altered neural state in people with fibromyalgia syndrome during functional MRI studies and its relationship with pain and anxiety

Altered neural signaling in fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) was investigated with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We employed a novel fMRI network analysis method, Structural and Physiological Modeling (SAPM), which provides more detailed information than previous methods. The study involved brain fMRI data from participants with FM (N = 22) and a control group (HC, N = 18), acquired during a noxious stimulation paradigm. The analyses were supported by fMRI data from the brainstem and spinal cord in FM and HC, brain fMRI data from participants with provoked vestibulodynia (PVD), and eye-tracking data from an fMRI study of FM. The results demonstrate differences in connectivity, and in blood oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) responses, between FM and HC. In the FM group, BOLD signals underwent a large increase during the first 40 seconds of each fMRI run, prior to the application of any stimuli, compared to much smaller increases in HC. This indicates a heightened state of neural activity in FM that is sustained during fMRI runs, and dissipates between runs. The exaggerated initial rise was not observed in PVD. Autonomic functioning differed between groups. Pupil sizes were larger in FM than in HC, and the groups exhibited pupil dilation to the same levels during noxious stimulation. The initial BOLD increase varied in relation to state and trait anxiety scores. The results indicate that people with FM enter a heightened state of neural activity associated with anxiety and autonomic functioning, during every fMRI run, concurrent with increased pupil sizes, and heightened pain sensitivity. These findings may relate to the well-known hypervigilance and global hypersensitivity of FM participants.

An ultra-wideband thin metamaterial linear cross-polarization conversion

Weak acid and pepsin reflux induce laryngopharyngeal mucosal barrier injury: A rabbit-model-based study

Objective Using rabbit models, this study simulated the laryngopharynx’s response to the synergistic effects of various acidic reflux environments and pepsin to investigate the response mechanism underlying weak acid reflux and pepsin in the mucosal barrier injury of laryngopharyngeal reflux. Methods The rabbits were divided into six groups, and the original larynx was recorded for each group. During the study period, rabbits were sprayed with different doses of acid and pepsin solutions and monitored for hypopharyngeal mucosal transient impedance before and after modeling. After the experiment, laryngeal mucosal tissues were collected, observed using hematoxylin and eosin staining, and assessed for E-cadherin expression. The width of the intercellular space and lanthanum staining penetrating the intercellular space were also observed using electron microscopy. Results Eight weeks post-modeling, evidence of laryngopharyngeal mucosa inflammatory responses was observed in each group. Downregulation of E-cadherin expression significantly positively correlated with acid strength (p < 0.05). The pepsin and acid intervention groups showed a significantly widened space between mucosal epithelial cells in the posterior ring area (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, in the experimental group, a large amount of stained lanthanum penetrated the intercellular spaces; however, no significant difference was observed in the mucosal impedance (MI). Conclusion This study demonstrated that acid, weak acid, and pepsin could damage the laryngeal mucosal barrier; pepsin was an independent factor associated with tissue damage; the downregulation of hypopharyngeal cadherin was associated with acid-intensity exposure. Transient LP-MI cannot be applied directly.

KLRB1 expression in nasopharyngeal mucosa as a prognostic biomarker in COVID-19 patients

Correction: High prevalence of p16 staining in malignant tumors

Atrophy of cerebellum Crus I indicates poor outcome of cochlear implantation in the elderly

Expanded non-invasive prenatal testing offers better detection of fetal copy number variations but not chromosomal aneuploidies

Purpose To evaluate the clinical performance of expanded non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT-plus) and compare its effectiveness in screening for chromosomal aneuploidies with that of NIPT. Methods Screening results, confirmatory invasive testing results, and follow-up data from pregnant women who underwent either NIPT (6792 cases) or NIPT-Plus (5237 cases) testing at Luohe Central Hospital, China, from January 2019 to June 2023 were collected. The positive predictive value (PPV), sensitivity, specificity, and other indicators for different types of chromosomal abnormalities in NIPT/NIPT-plus screening were calculated. The willingness of pregnant women with various types of abnormalities to undergo confirmatory invasive testing and the proportion of pregnancy terminations were investigated. Results The average number of unique reads in NIPT-plus samples was 5.26 times greater than that in NIPT samples. There was no significant difference in the PPV or positive rate between NIPT-plus and NIPT for screening chromosomal aneuploidies. Compared with the low-risk group, the high-risk group had a greater PPV; however, in the NIPT-plus group, there was no significant disparity in the PPV between the low-risk and high-risk groups. Compared with rare autosomal aneuploidies (RAAs), pregnant women had a higher rate of confirmatory invasive testing for common trisomies, sex chromosomal abnormalities (SCAs), and copy number variations (CNVs). However, the rate of pregnancy termination for common trisomies, RAAs, and CNVs was higher than that for SCAs. Conclusion By enhancing sequencing data, NIPT-plus can effectively screen for CNVs as well as chromosomal aneuploidies. However, NIPT-plus does not have an advantage over standard NIPT in screening for chromosomal aneuploidies.

Machine learning to identify environmental drivers of phytoplankton blooms in the Southern Baltic Sea

Abstract Phytoplankton blooms exhibit varying patterns in timing and number of peaks within ecosystems. These differences in blooming patterns are partly explained by phytoplankton:nutrient interactions and external factors such as temperature, salinity and light availability. Understanding these interactions and drivers is essential for effective bloom management and modelling as driving factors potentially differ or are shared across ecosystems on regional scales. Here, we used a 22-year data set (19 years training and 3 years validation data) containing chlorophyll, nutrients (dissolved and total), and external drivers (temperature, salinity, light) of the southern Baltic Sea coast, a European brackish shelf sea, which constituted six different phytoplankton blooming patterns. We employed generalized additive mixed models to characterize similar blooming patterns and trained an artificial neural network within the Universal Differential Equation framework to learn a differential equation representation of these pattern. Applying Sparse Identification of Nonlinear Dynamics uncovered algebraic relationships in phytoplankton:nutrient:external driver interactions. Nutrients availability was driving factor for blooms in enclosed coastal waters; nutrients and temperature in more open regions. We found evidence of hydrodynamical export of phytoplankton, natural mortality or external grazing not explicitly measured in the data. This data-driven workflow allows new insight into driver-differences in region specific blooming dynamics.

Probiotics interventions modulating gut microbiota composition in individuals with intestinal constipation: Protocol of a systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Introduction Intestinal constipation is a substantive global health concern, significantly impairing patient quality of life. An emerging view is that the gut microbiota plays a critical role in intestinal function, and probiotics could offer therapeutic benefits. This study aims to consolidate evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assess the effectiveness of probiotics in modulating microbiota and ameliorating symptoms of constipation. Methods We will execute a systematic evidence search across Medline (via PubMed), Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, Scopus, and CINAHL, employing explicit search terms and further reference exploration. Two independent reviewers will ensure study selection and data integrity while assessing methodological quality via the Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias-2 tool. Our primary goal is to outline changes in microbiota composition, with secondary outcomes addressing symptom relief and stool characteristics. Meta-analyses will adopt a random-effects model to quantify the effects of interventions, supplemented by subgroup analyses and publication bias assessments to fortify the rigor of our findings. Discussion This study endeavors to provide a rigorous, synthesized overview of the probiotics interventions evidence for modulating gut microbiota in individuals with intestinal constipation. The insights derived could inform clinical guidelines, nurture the creation of novel constipation management strategies, and direct future research in this field. Ethics and dissemination As this study aggregates and analyzes existing data without direct human subject involvement, no ethical approval is required. We will disseminate the study’s findings through scientific forums and seek publication in well-regarded, peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration OSF registration number: 10.17605/OSF.IO/MEAHT.

Deformation behavior of additive manufactured 316 L stainless steel using in situ neutron diffraction

Insights into the representativeness of biodiversity assessment in large reservoir through eDNA metabarcoding

Monitoring biodiversity on a large scale, such as in hydropower reservoirs, poses scientific challenges. Conventional methods such as passive fishing gear are prone to various biases, while the utilization of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has been restricted. Most eDNA studies have primarily focused on replicating results from traditional methods, which themselves have limitations regarding representativeness and bias. In our study, we employed eDNA metabarcoding with three markers (12SrRNA, COI, and 16SrRNA) to evaluate the biodiversity of an 800 km 2 reservoir. We utilized hydrodynamic modeling to determine water flow velocity and the water renewal ratio throughout the study area. Additionally, we conducted statistical comparisons—rarefaction curves and multivariate methods—among samples as an alternative approach to assess biodiversity representation. The eDNA identified taxa previously documented in the reservoir by traditional monitoring methods, as well as revealed 29 –nine fishes and 20 non-fish—previously unreported species. These results highlight the robustness of eDNA as a biodiversity monitoring technique. Our findings also indicated that by randomly sampling 30% of the original number of samples, we could effectively capture the same biodiversity. This approach enabled us to comprehend the reservoir’s biodiversity profile and propose a straightforward, cost-effective monitoring protocol for the future based on eDNA.

Thermal buffering-controlled temperature variation between Mg–Al-rich rocks and migmatites

Effects of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Ceylon cinnamon) extract on lipid profile, glucose levels and its safety in adults: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

Background Cinnamon has been studied as a possible way to control blood glucose and serum cholesterol levels. However, there are no well-conducted randomized controlled trials that can accurately measure the lipid and glucose-lowering effects of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (C. zeylanicum) extract. This study primarily aimed to evaluate the effect of a standardized C. zeylanicum extract on serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and secondarily on other lipid parameters (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol and triglycerides), glucose levels, anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and safety outcomes in individuals with an LDL level between 100-190mg/dL. Materials and methods This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants were allocated to either C. zeylanicum extract or placebo group (1:1 allocation ratio). They were advised to take two capsules per day (1000 mg/day, a dose based on prior clinical studies suggesting potential efficacy and safety). Reduction in LDL-C at 12 weeks (from the baseline value) was compared between the two groups using ANCOVA. A complete-case analysis was adhered to in analyzing the outcome data. Results The mean age (SD) of the 150 participants was 50.4 (10.52) years, and 66% were females. Among the 127 participants assessed at 12 weeks, those in the C. zeylanicum extract arm had a lower LDL-C value than the placebo arm but the difference was not significant (the baseline adjusted mean difference was 6.05mg/dL; 95% CI: -2.43 to 14.52; p = 0.161). However, participants in the C. zeylanicum extract group showed significantly greater reductions in fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels (the baseline adjusted mean difference was 8.59mg/dL; 95% CI: 0.59 to 16.59; p = 0.036). There was a significant interaction effect between the supplement and participants’ glycemic status, with individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who received C. zeylanicum extract experiencing a notable reduction in FBS levels (standardized coefficient: -63, 95% CI: -102 to -25; p = 0.002). Conclusions C. zeylanicum extract did not have significantly reduce LDL-C but demonstrated a significant FBS-lowering effect, particularly in individuals with T2DM, with a favorable safety profile. Trials registration The trial was registered with the Sri Lanka Clinical Trials Registry: SLCTR/2021/011.

Insect frass fertilizer as soil amendment for improved forage and soil health in circular systems

Nebulization of 2% lidocaine has no detectable impact on the healthy equine respiratory microbiota

Glucocorticosteroids remain the most common pharmaceutical approach for the treatment of equine asthma but can be associated with significant side effects, including respiratory microbiome alterations. The goal of the study was to assess the impact of 2% lidocaine nebulization, a projected alternative treatment of equine asthma, on the healthy equine respiratory microbiota. A prospective, randomized, controlled, blinded, 2-way crossover study was performed, to assess the effect of 1 mg/kg 2% lidocaine (7 treatments over 4 days) on the equine respiratory microbiota compared to control horses (saline and no treatment). Clinical assessments and respiratory samples, including nasal wash, endoscopic tracheal aspirate and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, were obtained at each sample collection timepoint. The profile of the respiratory bacterial microbiota was evaluated using 16S amplicon sequencing, and clinical data compared using related samples analyses, based on data normality. The treatment did not affect the clinical data or alter the tracheal and nasal microbiota in healthy horses. However, time explained 12.6% of microbiota variation among samples. A significant difference in bacterial composition was observed between nasal and tracheal samples, showing the greatest relative abundance of Actinobacteria and Firmicutes, respectively. Bacterial DNA from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid did not amplify with generic primers targeting the V4 variable region of the prokaryotic small subunit ribosomal RNA gene, despite attempting multiple DNA extraction methods and PCR protocols, and after excluding PCR inhibition. This observation indicates that bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of healthy horses has a low bacterial load.